The Regional Initiative (REGI) grant program encourages and supports small community arts projects that are aligned with COA’s READI(Relevance, Equity, Access, Diversity, and Inclusion) framework. REGI is a good fit for applicants that intend to use small arts-based projects to engage in a specific community matter, reflect on personal experience, and/or projects that bring neighborhoods together.

Mystic Film Festival is an annual event showcasing independent feature length and short form narrative films and documentaries from all over the world. Through events, community engagement, industry panels, workshops, and film screenings by acclaimed and up-and-coming talent, Mystic Film Festival aims to create a special experience for both filmmaker and audience.

The 1st Annual Mystic Film Festival will take place from October 18 to October 21, 2018 in Mystic, Connecticut. Opening night will be an exciting red carpet cocktail event for press, filmmakers, cast, festival partners, sponsors, distributors, and ticket holders to the festival’s opening night film. The festival will close with a gala awards ceremony for filmmakers and invited guests. Mystic Film Festival will screen a variety of films over the course of 3 days and 4 nights, including Q&A’s with filmmakers in attendance, industry panels, networking events, and workshops.

The proposed project is a performance of San Francisco-based composer Henry Mollicone’s Beatitude Mass (For the Homeless). The performance will be part of the Mystic River Chorale 2019 winter concert, scheduled for Janary 20, 2019 at Connecticut College’s Harkness Chapel in New London, CT. This piece juxtaposes text from the Latin Mass with the Beatitudes and a contemporary English text drawn from interviews with men and women living in homeless shelters. The piece was composed in 2006, and requires a chorus, six instrumentalists, and two vocal soloists.

New London Main Street will partner an artist with student youth groups to grow community pride by creating public art displays in downtown New London windows and cleaning up sidewalks surrounding the storefronts. They will work with New London-based artist Amy Hannum to teach students about the design process, how to create and construct window displays through art-based instruction. Vacant and underutilized storefronts will be filled with a thought provoking and visually engaging display to make New London feel more welcoming, encourage people to stay longer and explore what makes New London’s historic waterfront district a great place to visit.

The Art of Healing is a collaborative project initiated by seven (7) social and community service organizations to create a traveling exhibit to demonstrate the role art plays in fostering health and wellness. Participants are members of the Cultural Coalition’s Arts in Health Roundtable that meets monthly to promote awareness, activism and advocacy for arts in health in Southeastern, CT. The group chose the common topic of “coping with/healing from trauma” to explore during this project.
Partner organizations: Artreach (Norwich), Child and Family Agency (New London), Horses Healing Humans (Stonington), Our Piece of the Pie (New London), Sound Community Services (New London), The Light House (New London and East Lyme sites) and Reliance Health (Norwich).

Salt Marsh Opera presents an all-inclusive, participatory opportunities to experience music, engaging in unfamiliar cultures and exploring the lessons learned to today’s world. Kids Love Opera! is a free project to local schools, fully funded through grants and donations. Almost 1,000 Groton and Norwich students will participate, together with other students located throughout New London County. The program’s effectiveness is drawn from the four-prong approach of Study Guide, two in-school visits and final performance, combined with teacher involvement. Collaboration between Salt Marsh Opera and local schools provides a rare opportunity for students to experience a totally unfamiliar art form, all presented in glorious song.

Southeastern CT Cultural Coalition serves as a Regional Service Organization for our region to support the CT Office of the Arts and conducted the grant panel for our region.

Those outside the region will be admitted on a space-available basis at a fee of $25 per person.

Registration Deadline: OCTOBER 4TH. Registration now full. Contact us about waitlist. Please, no walk-ins.

More than 100 people, representing 60+ nonprofit organizations located in eastern CT attended the region’s first DEI workshop in March 2018.

Please note that it is not necessary to have attended our initial DEI workshop in March. The October workshop will contain a brief review, then new content. Part I attendees and newcomers welcome!

Workshop Summary

This Diversity, Equity and Inclusion workshop will help nonprofit board leaders and executives gain and develop knowledge, skills, and practical tools, and resources that can be used to help advance their organizations’ DEI goals.

The changing demographics of our country are creating a workforce more diverse than ever. With that diversity comes the need for nonprofit, foundation, commission and corporate boards to be more inclusive and more representative of the communities and customers they serve. Diverse governing boards can help institutions better align themselves with the communities they serve, stimulate dialogue and innovation, improve strategic thinking and decision-making and expand networks of dedicated talent.

Jamal Jimersonis the Founder/Executive Director of Minority Inclusion Project Inc. He has worked for over 15 years in public service across Connecticut. Jamal started his career as an AmeriCorps ambassador while in college and spent the first five years of his post-graduate career working in public, charter, and independent schools. Driven by a desire to mobilize youth, families, and communities of color, Jamal was mentored into leadership for community-based nonprofit organizations across Connecticut, including Bridgeport, New Haven, and Hartford.

This event is co-hosted by the Southeastern CT Cultural Coalition and the Community Foundation of Eastern CT with support from Charter Oak Federal Credit Union.

]]>http://culturesect.org/culture-connects-an-exclusive-event-for-our-partners/feed/3Thursdays on the Thames 2018http://culturesect.org/thursdays-on-the-thames-2018/
http://culturesect.org/thursdays-on-the-thames-2018/#commentsMon, 02 Jul 2018 20:25:49 +0000http://culturesect.org/?p=7027Enjoy chartered sunset cruises aboard the Thames River Heritage Park Water Taxi with local experts serving as your cultural cruise guides. August tour launches from NORWICH. July and two September tours launch from NEW LONDON. Thursdays on the Thames series sponsor:

UPCOMING TOURS:

September 13 – “Riding the Waves: The New London Music Scene”New London, Fort Trumbull State Park Water Taxi Launchdockside social begins at 5:00 pm, boat departs at 5:30 pmNew London’s music scene was at its peak from 1997 to 2016 and consisted of long weekends of multiple-band bills playing original live music – a “musical melting pot” of indie rock, punk, hardcore, metal, and Americana. In the 1980’s, The Towers of New London ruled the local music scene in hot spots like the El ‘n’ Gee Club. Join music columnist, Rick Koster, as he shares the highlights of these cycles in our region’s musical history. Beer provided by These Guys Brewing Company in Norwich.

This tour sponsored by:

PAST TOURS:

July 19 – “Speeding, Bribery & Intoxication on the Sound: Rum-running”New London, Fort Trumbull State Park Water Taxi Launchdockside social begins at 6:00 pm, boat departs at 6:30 pmOur guest speaker will be Robert McKenna, a former Coast Guard Officer, author and expert on rum running during Prohibition. He has researched, edited and republished six books about liquor smuggling in the 1920s and was a contributor to CPTV’s Emmy Award winning documentary “Connecticut Goes Dry” (2012). Learn about the New London office of the largest rum ring in the history of Prohibition and the Coast Guard’s law enforcement efforts from southeastern CT to international waters.

SOLD OUT! – August 16 – “Craft & Drafts in the Rose City”Norwich, Town Dock at Howard Brown Parkdockside social begins at 5:30 pm, boat departs at 6:00 pmJason Vincent, co-owner of Epicure Brewing, independent craft brewery and taproom, shares the art of production, sales and distribution of custom beer and ale. He includes the path from idea to construction and launch to rapid growth and the partners he has met along the way. With a career in economic development and municipal planning, Vincent has a unique perspective on past, present and future development in the Rose City.

This tour sponsored by:

CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER – September 6 – “Thames River Connections: By Boat or Bridge”New London, Fort Trumbull State Park Water Taxi Launchdockside social begins at 5:00 pm, boat departs at 5:30 pmOur guest speakers will be Jim Streeter, Town of Groton lifelong resident, former mayor, and town historian, and Steve Jones, UConn Avery Point professor, editor, and “literate boatman,” will share the history of crossing the Thames River between New London and Groton. This tour coincides with the Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival, celebrating the state’s maritime heritage and spirit of innovation with activities along the Port of New London waterfront (ctmaritimefest.com)

TICKETS:

Note: Departure times and locations per cruise. Ticketed guests will be notified of weather cancellation and welcome aboard remaining cruises.

]]>http://culturesect.org/thursdays-on-the-thames-2018/feed/3Music For All – June 21sthttp://culturesect.org/music-for-all-june-21st/
http://culturesect.org/music-for-all-june-21st/#respondThu, 14 Jun 2018 15:23:56 +0000http://culturesect.org/?p=7008Over 60 performances and musical activities will take place across the region on
Thursday, June 21, 2018 as part of Make Music Southeastern CT. Make Music Day is
a one-day event where free, live musical performances, opportunities to make music,
and other musical events take place in public parks, community organizations,
sidewalks, performance spaces, and businesses on the longest day of the year.

This is the first time that Southeastern CT and the entire state of CT will participate in the
international Make Music Day joining 800 cities and 120 countries.

Musical festivities in Sprague, Groton, Mystic, New London, North Franklin, Norwich,
North Stonington, Norwich, Old Lyme, and Waterford are part of the first Make Music
Connecticut, and the annual global celebration of music-making inspired by France’s
Fête de la Musique.

Performances in New London, organized by New London Music Festivals, Inc. and Neff Production with support from the City of New London, make up more than half of the region’s events.

Click HERE to download the flyer listing some of the performances in the region.

Held annually on June 21, Make Music Day is part of the international Fête de la
Musique, taking place in 800 cities across 120 countries. The daylong, musical freefor-all
celebrates music in all its forms, encouraging people to band together and play
in free public concerts. This year, 70+ U.S. cities are organizing Make Music
celebrations, encompassing thousands of music making opportunities nationwide.
Make Music Day is presented by the NAMM Foundation and coordinated by the
nonprofit Make Music Alliance. For more information, please visitwww.makemusicday.org.

]]>http://culturesect.org/music-for-all-june-21st/feed/0Nonprofit Tax Exemption Public Forumhttp://culturesect.org/nonprofit-tax-exemption-public-forum/
http://culturesect.org/nonprofit-tax-exemption-public-forum/#respondWed, 09 May 2018 21:08:23 +0000http://culturesect.org/?p=6939The forum will serve as an overview of state statutes regarding nonprofit property tax exemption, general information about current public policy, and local and state case studies. No legal advice will be provided.

The forum will serve as an overview of state statutes regarding nonprofit property tax exemption, general information about current public policy, and local and state case studies. Informational only, no legal advice will be provided.

Executive Director Wendy Bury said, “In light of recent events in the City of Norwich with more than three dozen nonprofits denied tax exemption, we felt compelled to offer this free forum to provide vital information and educate nonprofits about the issue.” She continued, “The Cultural Coalition has more than 200 nonprofit partners (40% of our total partners) and denial of tax exemption has affected not only our own organization, but many of our partners and potentially more in the future.”

President and CEO of The Alliance Gian-Carl Casa said, “More and more tax assessors have decided to get money from previously tax-exempt properties. They are taking funds from arts groups, people with disabilities, substance abuse treatment programs, shelters and other service providers. This forum is the start to finding solutions that will stop short-sighted actions which, if unchecked, will seriously damage their own communities and state.”

President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Eastern CT Maryam Elahi said, “We believe that creating collaborative and inclusive spaces for civic engagement and advocacy related to topics that matter to our region is the key to addressing barriers to progress and identifying new or expanded opportunities. Given local, state and fed budget cuts and the fact that our nonprofit partners provide essential services to those who are most vulnerable in our communities, this forum will help to educate the public and better inform our nonprofits regarding important tax exemption statutes that have significant implications for our region.”

The public forum is intended for nonprofit organizations’ staff, board members and concerned citizens interested in learning more.

Event is free to attend, but registration is required.

The Alliance represents hundreds of nonprofit organizations across all categories, from Health and Human Service programs to Arts and Culture. Their mission is to advance excellence in community-based nonprofits through advocacy and capacity building.

The Community Foundation of Eastern CT serves 42 towns communities and its mission is to put philanthropy into action to help address the needs, rights and interests of our communities in Eastern Connecticut while fulfilling the passions of donors.

The Cultural Coalition is partnering again with Assets for Artists to offer FREE professional development workshops for CT-based artists in all disciplines. If you’re serious about strengthening your practice, learning from art business and marketing experts, and connecting with fellow artists & makers, we hope you’ll sign up!

To request a seat in any of the workshops listed below, email Briana at bhalpin@massmoca.org with your name, home address, and artist website or brief description of your artistic practice.
For more details and information, visit Assets for Artists Workshop Opportunities for CT Artists

Preference will be given to artists from rural areas of Connecticut, but artists from urban CT may also enroll if space allows. Participation is FREE!

Artist in Business with Dee Boyle-ClappDue to popular demand, this workshop will be offered in two separate times/locations:
Saturday, May 12 | 9:30am – 5pm | Hampton, CTFriday, May 18 | 9:30am – 5pm | Groton, CT

Building on her 25 years of experience in the arts, Dee Boyle-Clapp now directs the Arts Extension Service at UMASS. In this training, she will introduce the elements of a business plan and information helpful for running your artist-based business. Through a mix of instruction and guided activities you will learn how to create a series of attainable business goals that shape the future of your art-based business, including how to describe your work, hire outside experts, handle financial details, and structure your business.

WORKSHOP IS FULL. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.Event is open to nonprofits located in southeastern and eastern CT only.

Note: Upon event registration, attendees will be asked to complete a brief survey (one survey per organization) about their organization’s board and staff demographics. Aggregated data from the survey will be shared at the event.

Workshop Summary

This Diversity, Equity and Inclusion workshop will help a group of nonprofit board chairs and executives gain and develop knowledge, skills, and practical tools, and resources that can be used to help advance their organizations’ DEI goals. Our intention is to answer critical questions that nonprofit leaders face including:

The changing demographics of our country are creating a workforce more diverse than ever. With that diversity comes the need for nonprofit, foundation, commission and corporate boards to be more inclusive and more representative of the communities and customers they serve. Diverse governing boards can help institutions better align themselves with the communities they serve, stimulate dialogue and innovation, improve strategic thinking and decision-making and expand networks of dedicated talent.

Jamal Jimersonis the Founder/Executive Director of Minority Inclusion Project Inc. He has worked for over 15 years in public service across Connecticut. Jamal started his career as an AmeriCorps ambassador while in college and spent the first five years of his post-graduate career working in public, charter, and independent schools. Driven by a desire to mobilize youth, families, and communities of color, Jamal was mentored into leadership for community-based nonprofit organizations across Connecticut, including Bridgeport, New Haven, and Hartford.

This event is co-hosted by the Southeastern CT Cultural Coalition and the Community Foundation of Eastern CT with support from Dominion Energy.

This event is part of the Southeastern CT Cultural Coalition’s Rising Tide Series.

Support for the Cultural Coalition and the Rising Tide Series comes from:

Are you part of the social & community services sector, with a school, municipality, or library, and want to engage with your peers who are improving health and wellness through the arts? Find out about programs available for local referrals, discover new forms of art-based programs for health and wellness, and connect with potential new collaborators. Learn, share and be inspired by arts-based collaborative health and wellness efforts in the region and beyond. Event includes: